Chukwuma Agubata of UNN wins 2017 LNG prize for science

THE Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has announced three research works as joint winners for this year’s edition of the prize after two years intensive search for innovations in the fight to end Malaria.

The winning research works from 27 entries for this year’s edition of the prize are: “Improving Home and Community Management of Malaria: Providing the Evidence Base” by Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, Ayodele Jegede & Bidemi Yusuf; “Multifaceted Efforts at Malaria Control in Research: Management of Malaria of Various Grades and Mapping Artemisinin Resistance” by Olugbenga Mokuolu; and “Novel lipid microparticles for effective delivery of Artemether antimalarial drug using a locally-sourced Irvingia fat from nuts of Irvingia gabonensis var excelsa (ogbono)” by Chukwuma Agubata.

The award comes with a cash prize of $100,000

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Science Prize, Professor Akpoveta Susu, at a news conference in Lagos.

Reacting to the verdict, the General Manager, External Relations at NLNG, Kudo Eresia-Eke said: “This is not just a great milestone for the prize and NLNG. It is a great milestone for the people of Nigeria and Africa. Today’s result is two-pronged. Firstly, we finally have a winner for the Science Prize and secondly, we have some commendable research works that have contributed significantly to the body of knowledge on the disease and even provide some interesting opportunities for local approach to defeating malaria.

“It is truly a day to celebrate. But the hard work must not stop. The winners will need support to translate this to real benefits for Nigerians. We are calling on the government and corporate Nigeria to support this initiate and bring it to life,” he said.

He added: “I commend the Board and the panel of judges for giving hope to science and scientists alike by announcing winners after a long stretch of no-winner verdicts. NLNG will not relent in using this prize to impact positively on Nigerians, and helping to build a better Nigeria.”

“We congratulate the winners for a job well done and for achieving this feat in the midst of an impressive array of entries. This is indeed a call to do more so that the identified potentials could be realized,” he stated.

He also announced “Innovations in Power Solutions” as the Advisory Board’s pick for 2018 prize theme.

The first winner of the prize in 2004 was Professor Akpoveta Susu and his then doctoral student, Kingsley Abhulimen.